South Slope Rental Scam (via West Africa)

A con artist is trying to bilk would-be renters in Brooklyn out of dough by pretending to offer apartments for rent in a condo building that hasn’t even had any closings yet, according to brokers from Brown Harris Stevens who are representing the building in question. A person claiming to have an $800 apartment for rent at 317 16th Street has posted ads on “www.craigslis.org” (a non-functioning URL as of this morning). The fake landlord emails interested applicants and tells them to send him a one-month deposit via Western Union money transfer. “317 16th St. is a new condominium offering. We are the exclusive agents,” says Christopher Thomas, an executive vice president at Brown Harris Stevens Brooklyn. “There are no apartments for rent. The building hasn’t yet had its first closing. I believe the information in the scam is taken from our web site or marketing materials.” An email chain between the confidence man, who poses as a “reverend” living in West Africa, and a prospective renter is reprinted on the jump. Renter beware!
Photo by Triple7.

[Prospective Renter, Personal Info Redacted]:Good morning!

I am very interested in the apartment you have for rent. I was wondering if it can be seen tomorrow?

A little about myself I am a graphic design at the food network, I have lived in brooklyn my whole life and would love to stay here and not move to jersey, I am very quite, I do like having my family over, I don’t smoke, and I do not have a pet. I understand that you want someone neat and clean and I couldn’t mind signing something that states that I will keep your place neat. Will it be unfurnished and how long is the lease?

Please call me back if you can. Thanks!

Have a great Monday!

[Reply]: On Tue, Apr 8, 2008 at 9:35 PM, Rev. Erber David wrote:

Sorry for the delay!! Thanks for the email. My name is Erber David, I own the 1 bedroom apartment located @ 317 16th Street #1A, Brooklyn NY 11215. and also want you to know that it was due to my transfer that makes me, my wife and Son to leave the house and also want to give it out for rent and looking for a responsible person that can take very good care of it as we are not after the money for the rent but want it to be clean at the time and the person that will rent it to take it as if it were its own. So for now, We are here in west Africa, our new house.I personally wanted to Sale the house before but I and my wife decided to put it out for rent.If you could promise us to take very good care of the house,the you can send an email with the information required.One Mr. Smith called me about the apartment,I told him that I cant give him the apartment because he is married with 4 kids ,I do not want his children to get my property damaged.If you are still interested, Note that the rent is going to be $800

I will like you to give me a call on this effect to know how serious you are.

Requirement for now.
Names???
Occupation:?????
Full Address:????(Where keys will be shipped to)
Phone number:??????

below is my phone number
# 0112347084406599 or +2347084406599

I personally will actually come visiting you at May as our new tenant.Looking forward to hear from you.
As a man of God please I am giving you all this base on trust and again i will want you to stick to your words, I am putting everything into God’s hand, so please do not let us down.

Regards
Erber David

[Prospective Renter]: Subject: Re: $800 / 1br – 1 bedroom condo layout with sleek,
To: hidove200@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2008, 2:47 AM

If this would be based on trust are you sending me the key and I would send you a check? To be honest I don’t think I can believe you. How do I know I have your word? How do I know you aren’t going to try to scam me? I’m sorry I can not give you my personal information until I’m sure this is all true. I hope you can understand where I am coming from. I am still very interested but I’m not sure this is true.

[Reply]: From: Rev. Erber David
Date: Wed, Apr 9, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Subject: Acceptance!!
To: [Redacted]

Dear [Redacted],
I have discussed your issue with my wife Debbie and she is very excited that you are going to become our new tenant. The utilities are included and pets are allowed…Because we both have decided to you the apartment, that’s why we have to remove the advert from www.craigslis.org

The fact that we do not have any body in the states to have the apartment shown to you. We are left with no option that to have the keys and rental document shipped via FedEx to 699 Decatur St. Brooklyn NY 11233 . Due to the security of the building , I will include a latter of authorization to avoid you from being embarrassed, when you go for inspection.

Before we ship the rental document and keys to you , you will have to make a payment of 1 month security deposit via WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER,which stands as a commitment fee. Then once the documents arrives and you have them signed, you will then pay for 2 months..This arrangement is based on the fact that I feel secured since you will have to sign as you collect the package from the FedEx agent that will deliver it to you.

1. When are you willing to send the 1 month security deposit????
2. How long do you intend renting the apartment????

As soon as I hear from you, I will let you know how to have the security deposit sent .
Regards and God bless you.
Erber David